Honor Student Mourned

December 07, 2007|By TRACY GORDON FOX; Courant Staff Writer

COLCHESTER — Students at Bacon Academy were offered counseling Thursday to deal with the death of a senior who died Wednesday night.

Andrew Fischer, 17, an honor student who helped run the school's cafe, died of accidental asphyxiation, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Thursday after an autopsy. Fischer had been engaging in an activity that cuts off oxygen. Teenagers across the country have died in these kinds of incident, which are supposed to produce a sense of euphoria but sometimes causes them to lose consciousness and asphyxiate.

Superintendent of Schools Karen Loiselle sent a note home to parents, informing them of the death. Counseling was offered to students, particularly those who had worked with Fischer in the school's culinary program, Loiselle said.

"Bacon is grieving the loss of a special member of their community," she said. "Students close to Andrew today described him as helpful, kind-hearted student who had a good sense of humor and a passion for the culinary arts. He was a valued member of the Academy cafe and proud of his accomplishments in the food service area."